1
as in to put
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
just lay the book over there on the table for now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to impose
to establish or apply as a charge or penalty
state officials tried to lay a tax on merchandise sold over the Internet
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to prepare
to make ready in advance
she's laying plans for the charity auction months ahead of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to spread
to put a layer of on a surface
the mason laid mortar over the first row of bricks before starting the second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in to ascribe
to explain (something) as being the result of something else
an electrical fire that was laid to faulty wiring
Synonyms & Similar Words
8
as in to bury
to place (a dead body) in the earth, a tomb, or the sea
lay the corpse to rest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment
she sang a short lay in dedication to her husband
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in work
the activity by which one regularly makes a living
my main lay is as a general contractor, but I do side work as a carpenter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in godless
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of lay
ABC News, 8 Feb. 2026
About 12 miles into the drive, the SS7 joins a spectacular stretch of asphalt laid directly over the ancient roadbed.
—Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Not having to change planes en route to Singapore is a major perk for travelers hoping to catch some sleep on the long-haul international flight — especially those in business class, who can take advantage of SIA’s plush leather seats that convert into lay-flat beds.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Verb
Democrats claim Trump is really laying the groundwork to undermine upcoming elections.
—ABC News, 8 Feb. 2026
About 12 miles into the drive, the SS7 joins a spectacular stretch of asphalt laid directly over the ancient roadbed.
—Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The meaning is not something that a lay person can necessarily intuit.
—John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Not having to change planes en route to Singapore is a major perk for travelers hoping to catch some sleep on the long-haul international flight — especially those in business class, who can take advantage of SIA’s plush leather seats that convert into lay-flat beds.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay
Verb
-
The couple heard police on a loudspeaker tell someone to put his weapon down and end the situation peacefully shortly before the helicopter arrived.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
McMillan, taken eighth overall by the Panthers in last year’s NFL Draft, put together a rookie campaign with 70 receptions (122 targets) for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While OpenAI hasn’t yet settled on a way to implement ads for its blockbuster chatbot, an early screenshot the company showed off during its announcement late last year indicates that free-tier users will likely be painfully aware that the company is trying to sell them something.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Encased in inflatable shock absorbers, the sphere bounced across the lunar surface like a beach ball, eventually settling and unfolding four petal-like panels to stabilize itself.—
Ilya Ferapontov,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Amid the ongoing militarized clampdown and a de facto nighttime curfew imposed in major cities, large-scale mass protests are no longer taking place.—
Hamid Kashani,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Whether Kevin Warsh can navigate a graceful exit from the Fed’s extraordinary interventions—or whether markets will impose their own solution would be the defining question of his tenure.—
Daniel J. Arbess,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Levy Restaurants was reportedly only preparing 200 for Sunday’s game day.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Misinformation and conspiracy theories about the public health system also spread during the pandemic, and longtime anti-vaccine activist groups saw a swell in interest from the wider public.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Takaichi was betting with this election that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.—
MARI YAMAGUCHI,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Takaichi was betting that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Users typically ascribe simple personality traits to the agents for more distinct communication.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The executive was quick to ascribe their final trade returns as a reflection of the market.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Only one body was identified by a family, while the others were buried on Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In a report published this month in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, a team from the Australian National University examined the tooth enamel of three individuals buried at the Dong Xa Iron Age burial site in Northern Vietnam.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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